Watch Adam's Apples

Adam's Apples is a Danish black comedy film from 2005, directed by Anders Thomas Jensen and starring Ulrich Thomsen, Mads Mikkelsen, and Nicolas Bro. The movie revolves around the principle of faith, forgiveness and the possibility of redemption. The story mainly focuses on the two contrasting characters, a neo-Nazi named Adam (Ulrich Thomsen) and a naive and devoted priest named Ivan (Mads Mikkelsen). The film is set in a remote countryside church, where Adam is directed by the court to join the priest Ivan to undergo a rehabilitation program. Ivan believes that he can make Adam a decent human being again by teaching him the principles of Christianity. However, Adam is determined to test Ivan's faith, placing a bet that he will corrupt him before he can finish baking his goal - making an apple pie from the church’s apple tree.

The twist of the story starts to unfold as the duo's bond grows stronger. The priest, Ivan's faith becomes unbreakable, even as Adam continues to test him by spouting his extremist propaganda. Ivan's dedication to Adam's rehabilitation turns into an obsession, even as he starts to lose his grip on reality. On the other hand, Adam, who initially comes across as a reprehensible character, ends up molding into an almost sympathetic figure. As the film ensues, Adam's past is revealed, explaining his motivations and past deeds. A further twist is revealed in a mysterious drifter who appears to have a significant effect on both the priest and the neo-Nazi.

The film's central theme is redemption, but it does not merely mean accepting Christianity or forgiveness in its traditional sense. Rather, it's about personal self-forgiveness and learning to forgive past wrongs. In a way, the movie displays how religious faith and forgiveness can be both, a saving grace and a dangerous obsession. Adam and Ivan's psychological battle poses questions about faith, tolerance, and unconditional love that challenge our morals.

The cast delivers impressive performances, especially Ulrich Thomsen's portrayal of Adam, the neo-Nazi. He is the film's barometer as the central character, taking us through a whirlwind of emotions ranging from hatred towards him to sympathy. Mads Mikkelsen as Ivan, the dedicated priest, delivers an honest and captivating performance. He plays a textured character admirably, and as the movie proceeds, we witness how this compassionate and selfless man starts to unravel. The two lead actors are complemented by solid performances from the supporting cast, including Nicolas Bro as Gunnar, the church administrator, and Ali Kazim as Khalid, the drifter.

Anders Thomas Jensen’s direction explores a different take on redemption and forgiveness, which makes Adam's Apples stand out. His directorial style is visually striking and builds on the film's black comedy tone. Through the movie, the theme of faith and forgiveness is intertwined beautifully with Jensen's visually comedic sequences, creating a unique indictment and takedown of modern radicalism.

The film's score does the job of underlining the progression of the storyline and matching the emotional depth of the plot. It never outshines the actors but subtly complements their actions on-screen. Adam's Apples is enriched by a powerful soundtrack consisting of folk music and classical compositions.

In conclusion, Adam's Apples is a perfect blend of crime, comedy, and drama. The film revolves around self-exploration and redemption, along with the confusion of faith, which challenges our convictions. Its themes hit home, urging us to reflect within and question ourselves to perceive the bigger picture. Adam's Apples is a gem of a movie that will entertain, surprise, and make you laugh while holding a profound sense of meaning for days to come.

Adam's Apples is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 51.